This summary of updates is to provide a detailed level of content changes from Higg FEM 2023 to Higg FEM 2024 in each Higg FEM section.
The entire How-to-Higg FEM Guide has been reviewed and updated where appropriate to provide as much clarity as possible for all stakeholders to understand the intent and expectations.
Introduction
- Added details on the option to complete Level 2 and 3 questions for facilities that do not achieve Level 1.
- Added information and resources on the Higg FEM Verification process.
Facility Site Info
- Provide additional examples to assist in the selection of Facility Type
| Question 4 | Provide additional guidance to assist with reporting annual volume. |
| Question 5 | Updated guidance to clarify that the question relates to water used for both domestic and production use. |
| Question 8 | NEW Question “Has your facility or facility personnel attended a Cascale approved Higg FEM training course provided by a Higg FEM Trainer Body within the past 24 months?” |
Permits
- Provide additional guidance to assist in answering the question “Is a Permit Required?”
EMS
| Question 11 | NEW Question ”Does your facility have a Data Quality Management System for Quantitative Metrics?” |
Energy
| Question 1 | Added guidance to clarify that the sub-question “What is the percentage of your total Diesel usage, used for the onsite Generator ?“ applies to diesel used in non-vehicular sources only |
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Question 6 |
NEW sub-question “Is your facility able to separate and report energy consumption by facility type for tracked energy sources directly from captured data without relying on estimation?” |
Water
| Question 3 | NEW sub-question “Is your facility able to separate and report water consumption by facility type for tracked water sources directly from captured data without relying on estimation?” |
| Question 13 | Scoring has been applied to this question. |
Wastewater
- Added clarification that blowdown water from boilers or compressors is considered domestic wastewater in the Higg FEM.
- Added additional selection options for wastewater treatment type and location for wastewater treated by septic systems.
| Question 7 | Added a Partial Yes answer option. |
Air Emissions
| Question 2 | Added Not Applicable answer option. |
| Question 7 and FEM 2023 (Q12) | Scoring has been applied to the Level 1 question (Q7). Q12 has been removed as scoring is now applied in Level 1 but accounted only in Level 2, and the same question is not duplicated in both levels. |
Waste
- No significant updates.
Chemicals
- Added new applicability question related to chemicals use to better apply relevant questions based on chemical use. NEW Applicability question:
- Does your facility only use Minimal Chemicals (liquid and gaseous fuels, over the counter chemicals, maintenance chemicals for factory up-keep) onsite?
| Question 1 | Restructured question and answer options based on chemical use applicability selections |
Higg FEM Glossary
- Reviewed and Update FEM Glossary where necessary.
Appendix A: FEM Foundations